Sharjah Airport International Free Zone celebrates 10th Anniversary with 40-Fold Growth

The number of companies with a base at Sharjah Airport International Free Zone, situated next to Sharjah International Airport in the UAE, has increased from 55 to 2,201 over the past decade. The past three years has seen the steepest growth with the current number of companies almost doubled from the 1,100 based there in 2003.

Now SAIF-Zone is hoping to build on this phenomenal expansion by taking part for the first time in the Airport Build & Supply Exhibition in Dubai, the only dedicated trade show for airport construction, operations, technologies and services in the region.

The exhibition, now in its sixth year, takes place from June 5 – 7, 2006 at Airport Expo and is an unmissable event for airport and aviation suppliers eager to profit from the US$40 billion worth of airport developments currently taking place across the Middle East.

The event, organised by Streamline Marketing Group, attracts a targeted audience of regional Civil Aviation departments, government officials, VIPs and consultants and contractors behind many of the region’s airport development projects. The 2005 edition saw over 40 regional Civil Aviation authorities represented at the show.

Yasser Zamzam, Sales & Marketing Officer for SAIF-Zone, said, “Airport Build & Supply is an extremely important exhibition within the aviation sector and we are very pleased to be taking part for the first time. The event attracts important regional and worldwide companies from the aviation and construction sectors and we are keen to build on our fantastic growth by promoting the benefits of having a base in the Sharjah Airport International Free Zone.”

Zamzam puts the success of SAIF-Zone down to its unique geographical location, its flexible facilities and the freedom from bureaucratic red tape that it offers to member companies.

SAIF-Zone boasts excellent sea, land and air transport links with access to over two billion consumers across the GCC, CIS countries, the Asian sub-continent, Africa, the Mediterranean region and Europe. The seaports of Port Khor Fakkan on the Indian Ocean and Port Khalid on the Persian Gulf are easily accessible, while Sharjah International Airport is one of the largest cargo hubs in the entire region.

Companies based in the free zone benefit from 100% foreign ownership, sponsorship and visas for all staff, plus a wide range of other facilities and incentives, which add to the convenience of operating within SAIF-Zone.

“Our position next to Sharjah International Airport means that we are an ideal base for companies involved in the aviation industry, particularly due to its emphasis on chartering, leasing and cargo. Lufthansa.” said Zamzam. “However, our location in the middle of the northern emirates and our state-of-the art facilities mean that we also attract a wide range of businesses including industrial, trading and service companies.”

Nick Webb, director of the Streamline Marketing Group, said, “As an airport free zone, SAIF-Zone is strategically placed to target international Airport Build & Supply exhibitors and offer them a convenient base in the UAE. Many of the companies that come to our show have very productive meetings with regional visitors and subsequently want to set up a local presence. SAIF-Zone offers a convenient option as tenants do not require a local partner and can set up operations literally next to an international aviation facility.”

More than 400 of the world’s leading airport and aviation suppliers are expected to exhibit at the Airport Build & Supply Exhibition.

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